Functional Medicine Institute

01/29/2026

GLP-1, GIP & Glucagon: The Hormones Behind Sustainable Weight Loss | Heather Lucas, MSN, FNP-C

Injectable peptides are designed to support and stabilize your body’s natural hormonal signals. They do not replace hormones. They work best when the foundation is in place.

In Episode 74 of the Functional Medicine Institute Podcast, Amber Warren, PA-C and Heather Lucas, MSN, FNP-C explain how peptide therapies can support metabolic health, and why stress, sleep, movement, nutrition, and gut health ultimately determine long-term results.

In this episode, we discuss:
• How injectable peptides strengthen existing hormonal communication
• Why healthy cells and baseline metabolic support matter for outcomes
• How lifestyle foundations work alongside peptide therapy for sustainable weight loss

🎧 The full episode is available on all major podcast platforms.

01/28/2026

GLP-1, GIP & Glucagon: The Hormones Behind Sustainable Weight Loss | Heather Lucas, MSN, FNP-C

Most weight loss advice focuses on calories and willpower.
But sustainable weight loss is driven by hormones.

GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon play a critical role in appetite regulation, blood sugar balance, and energy metabolism. When these hormones are disrupted by stress, poor sleep, aging, or metabolic dysfunction, weight loss can feel frustrating no matter how hard someone tries.

In Episode 74 of the Functional Medicine Institute Podcast, Amber Warren, PA-C and Heather Lucas, MSN, FNP-C discuss:
• How GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon work together to regulate hunger and metabolism
• Why weight loss resistance is so common
• How functional medicine supports these pathways through lifestyle foundations and, when appropriate, targeted therapies

🎧 The full episode is available on all major podcast platforms:

In this episode of the Functional Medicine Institute Podcast, Amber Warren, PA-C, sits down with functional medicine nurse practitioner Heather Lucas, MSN, F...

01/27/2026

The number on the scale tells you how much you weigh. It does not tell you what your body is actually losing.

Rapid weight loss often includes lean muscle and metabolically active tissue, not just fat. Over time, this can slow metabolic rate, worsen insulin sensitivity, and increase the likelihood of weight regain. That is why focusing only on weight can be misleading.

A healthier approach prioritizes preserving muscle, supporting hormonal signaling, and improving metabolic flexibility. Nutrition quality, adequate protein intake, resistance training, sleep, and stress physiology all play important roles in how the body adapts and maintains long-term health.

True health is not defined by a number on the scale. It is defined by how well your body functions.

If you are ready to focus on metabolic health rather than short-term weight loss, schedule a personalized appointment.

01/23/2026

GLP-1s aren’t just weight loss drugs.
They are gut–brain hormones that help regulate appetite, satiety, and blood sugar. Key players in metabolic balance.

In many metabolic conditions, this signaling is impaired. Hunger stays high. Blood sugar becomes harder to manage. This is biology, not willpower.

GLP-1 medications support your body’s natural pathways, but long-term balance also depends on:
• Protein and fiber intake
• Sleep quality and stress regulation
• Gut health and overall lifestyle

Without addressing these root factors, removing support can lead to rebound; another sign that the underlying physiology needs care.

Weight regulation is hormonal first. Calories are downstream. Support the biology, and the body follows.

01/22/2026

GLP-1, GIP & Glucagon: The Hormones Behind Sustainable Weight Loss

In Episode 74 of the Functional Medicine Institute Podcast, Amber Warren, PA-C and Heather Lucas, MSN, FNP-C discuss:
• How GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon work together to regulate hunger and metabolism
• Why weight loss resistance is so common
• How functional medicine supports these pathways through lifestyle foundations and, when appropriate, targeted therapies

🎧 The full episode is available on all major podcast platforms.
https://funmedinstitute.com/podcast/glp-1-gip-and-glucagon-the-hormones-behind-sustainable-weight-loss/

In this episode of the Functional Medicine Institute podcast, Amber Warren, PA-C, is joined by functional medicine nurse practitioner Heather Lucas, MSN, FNP-C, to discuss the science behind GLP-1–based therapies and metabolic weight loss. They explain how hormones such as GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon...

01/20/2026

Flu season can take a toll on your immune system. At FMI, we focus on supporting the body with a proactive and personalized approach.

We help patients during flu season with three key tools.

Acute care appointments with an FMI provider provide individualized evaluation and support when symptoms arise.

IV therapy delivers targeted nutrients to support hydration, immune function, and recovery. For a limited time, IV therapy is 30% off. (PC 45 vials and EBO2 are excluded.)

Immune-support supplements offer convenient at home immune support to help reinforce your body’s defenses. Immune support supplements are available at 15% off, available online at funmedshop.com and in clinic.

Whether you are feeling sick or looking to stay ahead, FMI offers options to support your immune health.

Schedule an appointment: https://funmedinstitute.com/new-patient-inquiry/

IV Therapy: (208) 385-7711, ext 302

Supplements: https://funmedshop.com/collections/immune-health

01/19/2026

Weight Loss Resistance: How Hormones, Muscle, and the Gut Control Fat Loss
Dr. Mark Holthouse, MD

In Episode 73 of the Functional Medicine Foundations Podcast, Amber Warren, PA-C sits down with Dr. Holthouse to break down why weight loss resistance is rarely about willpower and often driven by metabolic dysfunction.

In the full episode, we discuss:
• Why weight loss peptides alone often lead to regained weight when lifestyle, hormones, thyroid, and nutrition are not addressed
• The role of strength training and Zone 2 exercise in fat loss, metabolic health, and longevity
• How a functional medicine approach integrates personalized nutrition, hormone support, and movement for sustainable results

🎧 Listen to the full episode on our website or your favorite podcast platform.

01/15/2026

Chronic inflammation can make fat loss feel nearly impossible. Fat tissue is not just storage. It is metabolically active and highly responsive to inflammatory signals.

When inflammation is elevated, insulin resistance increases and the body becomes less efficient at burning fat. Over time, this can disrupt appetite regulation and limit metabolic flexibility.

Common drivers include ultra-processed foods, gut health imbalances, poor sleep, and chronic stress. Addressing these underlying factors can reduce inflammation and support healthier metabolic function.

At Functional Medicine Institute, we focus on identifying the root causes of inflammation and creating personalized care plans designed for your body.

If you are ready to remove the barriers holding your progress back, schedule your appointment today and begin your journey toward sustainable results.

https://funmedinstitute.com/clinical-care/weight-loss/

01/12/2026

Not all bodies respond the same way to the same weight loss plan. What works for one person may not work for another. That is not failure. It is physiology.

At Functional Medicine Institute, we focus on personalized care. We look at your unique metabolism, including insulin sensitivity, thyroid function, cortisol rhythms, and gut health. Some people respond to nutrition alone. Others need additional support to reach their goals.

Stop guessing and start seeing results. Become a patient today and begin your journey to care designed for your body. Learn more here: https://funmedinstitute.com/clinical-care/weight-loss/

01/08/2026

Metabolic health plays a critical role in how you feel every day.

Join Dr. Mark Holthouse, MD, our Chief Medical Officer, for an evening focused on the science behind metabolic health.

During the session, you'll learn:
• How metabolic imbalances affect the body as a whole
• Why addressing root causes leads to more sustainable outcomes
• How FMI's personalized approach supports long-term metabolic health

🗓 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
🕛 6:00PM
📍 FMI - Eagle 435 S Eagle Road, Suite 100, Eagle, ID 83616

RSVP to this event: https://funmedshop.com/blogs/events/set-your-new-year-up-with-a-premier-metabolic-reset

01/05/2026

Most weight loss struggles are not about willpower. They are about biology.

Your body is designed to defend weight through hormones, metabolism, and feedback loops. When calories drop too low, metabolism slows, hunger hormones spike, and fat storage becomes more efficient. Add in inflammation, insulin resistance, poor sleep, or chronic stress, and sustainable fat loss becomes even harder.

That is why the “eat less, move more” approach often works short-term but fails long-term.

Sustainable fat loss is not about cutting calories. It is about resetting your body’s signals and addressing the root causes that make fat loss difficult. At Functional Medicine Institute, we focus on metabolism, hormones, and personalized care so your results can last.

Ready to take a smarter, science-backed approach to your weight and metabolism? Schedule a consultation today: https://funmedinstitute.com/new-patient-inquiry/

01/02/2026

Sustainable change starts at the cellular level.

When your cells are supported, your body can restore balance, improve metabolism, and create long-term health. This is where meaningful change begins.

At Functional Medicine Institute, we provide care that meets you where you are. Whether you are seeking primary care, functional care, or specialty care, our team focuses on personalized, root-cause driven support designed for lasting results.

Health care should work with your biology, not against it. Small, intentional changes at the cellular level can lead to real, sustainable progress over time.